The Gladiators. A Tale of Rome and Judæa

by G. J. Whyte-Melville

  CHAPTER IV

  THE MASTERS OF THE WORLD

  An hour before sunrise Calchas was stopped by one of the sentinels on theverge of the Roman camp. He had made his escape from the city, as hehoped, without arousing the suspicions of the besieged. The outskirts ofJerusalem were, indeed, watched almost as narrowly by its defenders as itsassailants, for so many of the peaceful inhabitants had already takenrefuge with the latter, and so many more were waiting their opportunity tofly from the horrors within the walls, and trust to the mercy of theconquerors without, that a strict guard had been placed by the nationalparty on the different gates of the city, and all communication with theenemy forbidden and made punishable with death. It was no light risk,therefore, that Calchas took upon himself in carrying his brother'sproposals to the Roman general.

  Following the high-crested centurion, who, summoned by the first sentinelthat had challenged, offered to conduct him at once to the presence ofTitus; the emissary, man of peace though he was, could not but admire theregularity of the encampment in which he found himself, and the disciplineobserved by those who occupied it. The line of tents was arranged withmathematical order and precision, forming a complete city of canvas, ofwhich the principal street, so to speak, stretching in front of the tentsoccupied by the tribunes and other chief officers, was not less than ahundred feet wide. From this great thoroughfare all the others struck offat right angles, completing a simple figure, in which communication wasunimpeded and confusion impossible, whilst an open space of some twohundred feet was preserved between the camp and the ramparts thatencircled the whole. In this interval troops might parade, spoil andbaggage be stored, or beasts of burden tethered, whilst its width affordedcomparative security to those within from darts, firebrands, or othermissiles of offence.

  If Calchas had ever dreamed of the possibility that his countrymen wouldbe able to make head against the Romans, he abandoned the idea now. As hefollowed his conductor through the long white streets in which the legionslay at rest, he could not but observe the efficient state of that armywhich no foe had ever yet been able to resist--he could not fail to bestruck by the brightness of the arms, piled in exact symmetry before eachtent; by the ready obedience and cheerful respect paid by the men to theirofficers, and by the abundant supplies of food and water, contrastingpainfully with the hunger and thirst of the besieged. Line after line hetraversed in silent wonder, and seemed no nearer the pavilion of thegeneral than at first; and he could not conceal from himself that theenemy were no less formidable to the Jews in their numerical superioritythan in discipline, organisation, and all the advantages of war.

  His conductor halted at length in front of a large canvas dome, oppositeto which a strong guard of the Tenth Legion were resting on their arms. Ata sign from the centurion, two of these advanced like machines, and stoodmotionless one on each side of Calchas. Then the centurion disappeared, toreturn presently with a tribune, who, after a short investigation of theemissary, bade him follow, and, lifting a curtain, Calchas found himselfat once in the presence of the Roman conqueror and his generals. As thelatter gave way on each side, the hero advanced a step and confronted theambassador from the besieged. Titus, according to custom, was fully armed,and with his helmet on his head. The only luxury the hardy soldier allowedhimself was in the adornment of his weapons, which were richly inlaid withgold. Many a time had he nearly paid the penalty of this warlike fancywith his life; for, in the thick of battle, who so conspicuous as the boldprince in his golden armour? Who such a prize, alive or dead, as the sonof Vespasian, and heir to the sovereignty of the world? He stood now,erect and dignified, a fitting representative of the mighty engine hewielded with such skill. His firm and well-knit frame wore its steelcovering lightly and easily as a linen tunic. His noble features and manlybearing bore witness to the generous disposition and the fearless heartwithin; and his gestures denoted that self-reliance and self-respect whichspring from integrity and conscious power combined. He looked every inch asoldier and a prince.

  But there was a peculiarity in the countenance of Titus which added anameless charm to his frank and handsome features. With all its manlydaring, there was yet in the depths of those keen eyes a gleam of womanlycompassion and tenderness, that emboldened a suppliant and reassured aprisoner. There was a softness in the unfrequent smile that could butbelong to a kindly guileless nature. It was the face of a man capable, notonly of lofty deeds and daring exploits, but of gentle memories, lovingthoughts, home affections, generosity, commiseration, and self-sacrifice.

  Close behind the general, affording a striking contrast in every respectto his chief, stood the least-trusted, but by no means the leastefficient, of his officers. Almost the first eye that Calchas met when heentered the tent was that of Julius Placidus, whose services to Vespasian,though never thoroughly understood, had been rewarded by a high command inthe Roman army. The most right-thinking of Caesars could not neglect theman whose energies had helped him to the throne; and Titus, though he sawthrough the character he thoroughly despised, was compelled to do justiceto the ready courage and soldierlike qualities of the tribune. So JuliusPlacidus found himself placed in a position from which he could play hisfavourite game to advantage, and was still courting ambition as zealouslyas when he intrigued at Rome against Vitellius, and bargained with Hippiasover a cup of wine for the murder of his emperor.

  That retired swordsman, too, was present in the tent; no longer the meretrainer of professional gladiators, but commanding a band that had madeitself a name for daring at which the besieged grew pale, and which theTenth Legion itself could hardly hope to emulate. After the assassinationof the last Caesar, this host of gladiators had formed themselves into abody of mercenaries, with Hippias at their head, and offered theirservices to the new emperor. Under the ominous title of "The Lost Legion,"these desperate men had distinguished themselves by entering on all suchenterprises as promised an amount of danger to which it was hardly thoughtprudent to expose regular troops, and had gained unheard-of credit duringthe siege, which from its nature afforded them many opportunities for thedisplay of wild and reckless courage. Their leader was conspicuous, evenin the general's tent, by the lavish splendour of his arms andappointments; but, though his bearing was proud and martial as ever, hisface had grown haggard and careworn, his beard was thickly sprinkled withgrey. Hippias had played for the heaviest stakes of life boldly, and hadwon. He seemed to be little better off, and little better satisfied, thanthe losers in the great game.

  Near him stood Licinius,--staid, placid, determined; the commander of theTenth Legion; the favoured councillor of Titus; the pride of the wholearmy; having all the experiences, all the advantages, all the triumphs oflife at his feet. Alas! knowing too well what they were worth. It was acrown of parsley men gave the young athlete who conquered in the IsthmianGames; and round the unwrinkled brows that parsley was precious as gold.Later in life the converse holds too true, and long before the hair turnsgrey, all earthly triumphs are but empty pageantry; all crowns butwithered parsley at the best.

  Titus, standing forward from amongst his officers, glanced with a look ofpity at the worn hungry face of the messenger. Privation, nay, famine, wasbeginning to do its work even on the wealthiest of the besieged, andCalchas could not hide under his calm, dignified bearing, the lassitudeand depression of physical want.

  "The proposal is a fair one," said the prince, turning to his assembledcaptains. "Two days' respite, and a free surrender of the city, with thesimple condition that the holy places shall be respected, and the lives ofthe inhabitants spared. These Jews may do me the justice to remember thatmy wish throughout the war has ever been to avoid unnecessary bloodshed,and had they treated me with more confidence, I would long ago have shownthem how truly I respected their Temple and their faith. It is not toolate now. Nevertheless, illustrious friends, I called you not together sosoon after cock-crow(18) for a council of war, without intending to availmyself of your advice. I
hold in my hand a proposal from Eleazar, aninfluential patrician, as it appears, in the city, to deliver up the keysof the Great Gate, within forty-eight hours, provided I will pledge him myword to preserve his Temple from demolition, and his countrymen fromslaughter; provided also, that the Roman army abstain during that timefrom all offensive measures, whatever preparations for resistance they mayobserve upon the walls. He further states that the city contains a largeparty of desperate men, who are opposed to all terms of capitulation, andthat he must labour during these two days to coerce some and cajole othersto his own opinion. It is a fair proposal enough, I repeat. The TenthLegion is the first in seniority as in fame--I call upon its commander forhis opinion."

  Licinius, thus appealed to, earnestly advised that any terms which mightput an end to the loss of life on both sides, should be entertained frommotives of policy as well as humanity.

  "I speak not," said the general, "for myself or my legion. Our disciplineis unshaken, our supplies are regular, our men have been inured by longcampaigning to a Syrian climate and a Syrian sun. We have lostcomparatively few from hardships or disease. But no commander knows betterthan Titus, how an army in the field melts by the mere influence of time,and the difference that a few weeks can make in its efficiency andnumerical strength is the difference between victory and defeat. Otherdivisions have not been so fortunate as my own. I will put it to theleader of the Lost Legion, how many men he could march to-day to theassault?"

  Hippias stroked his beard gravely, and shook his head.

  "Had I been asked the question five days ago," said he frankly, "I couldhave answered a thousand. Had I been asked it yesterday, seven hundred.Great prince, at noon, to-day, I must be content to muster five hundredswordsmen. Nevertheless," he added, with something of his old abruptmanner, "not one of them but claims his privilege of leading the othercohorts to the breach!"

  It was too true that the influence of climate, acting upon men disposed tointemperance in pleasure, added to the severity of their peculiar service,had reduced the original number of the gladiators by one half. Theremnant, however, were still actuated, like their commander, by the fiercereckless spirit of the amphitheatre. Titus, looking from one to the other,pondered for a few moments in earnest thought, and Placidus, seizing theopportunity, broke in with his smooth courteous tones.

  "It is not for me," said he, "to differ with such illustrious leaders asthose who have just spoken. The empire has long acknowledged Licinius asone of her bravest commanders; and Hippias the gladiator lives but in hisnatural element of war. Still, my first duty is to Caesar and to Rome.Great prince, when a short while ago you bade a noble Jewish captiveaddress his countrymen on the wall, what was the result? They knew him tobe a patrician of their oldest blood, and, I believe, a priest also oftheir own superstitions. They had proved him a skilful general, and Imyself speak of him without rancour, though he foiled me before Jotapata.Till taken prisoner by Vespasian Caesar, he had been their staunchestpatriot and their boldest leader. When he addressed them, notwithstandingthe length of his appeal, they had no reason but to believe him sincere.And what, I say, was the result? A few hours gained for resistance; afiercer defiance flung at Rome; a more savage cruelty displayed towardsher troops. I would not trust them, prince. This very proposal may be buta stratagem to gain time. The attack of yesterday, covered by my cavalry,must have shaken them shrewdly. Probably their stores are exhausted. Thevery phalanx that opposed us so stubbornly looked gaunt and grim aswolves. Observe this very emissary from the most powerful man inJerusalem. Is there not famine in his hollow cheeks and sunken eyes? Givehim to eat. See how his visage brightens at the very name of food! Givehim to eat, now, in presence of the council of war, and judge by hisavidity of the privations he has endured behind the walls."

  "Hold!" exclaimed Titus indignantly; "hold, tribune, and learn, if youhave one generous feeling left, to respect misfortune, most of all whenyou behold it in the person of your enemy. This venerable man shall indeedbe supplied with wine and food; but he shall not be insulted in my camp byfeeling that his sufferings are gauged as the test of his truth. Licinius,my old and trusty counsellor, my very instructor in the art of war, Iconfide him to your care. Take him with you to your tent; see that hewants for nothing. I need not remind you to treat an enemy with all thekindness and courtesy compatible with the caution of a soldier. But youmust not lose sight of him for a moment, and you will send him back withmy answer under a strong guard to the chief gate of Jerusalem. I will haveno underhand dealings with this unhappy people; though much, I fear, myduty to my father and the empire will not permit me to grant them theinterval of repose that they desire. This is for my consideration. I havetaken your opinions, for which I thank you. I reserve to myself the optionof being guided by them. Friends and comrades, you are dismissed. Let thisman be forthcoming in an hour, to take my answer back to those who senthim. _Vale!_"

  _Vale!_ repeated each officer, as he bowed and passed out of the tent.

  Hippias and Placidus lingered somewhat behind the rest, and halting whenout of hearing of the sentinel who guarded the eagles planted before thecommander's quarters, or Praetorium, as it was called, looked in eachother's faces, and laughed.

  "You put it pointedly," said the former, "and took an ugly thrust inreturn. Nevertheless, the assault will be delayed after all, and my poorharmless lambs will scarce muster in enough force to be permitted to leadthe attack."

  "Fear not," replied the tribune; "it will take place to-morrow. It wouldsuit neither your game nor mine, my Hippias, to make a peaceable entry bythe Great Gate, march in order of battle to the Temple, and satisfyourselves with a stare at its flashing golden roof. I can hardly stave offmy creditors. You can scarce pay your men. Had it not been for theprospect of sacking the Holy Place, neither of us would have been to-dayunder a heavy breastplate in this scorching sun. And we _shall_ sack it, Itell you, never fear."

  "You think so?" said the other doubtfully; "and yet the prince spoke verysternly, as if he not only differed with you, but disapproved of yourcounsel. I am glad I was not in your place; I should have been tempted toanswer even the son of Vespasian."

  The tribune laughed gaily once more. "Trifles," said he; "I have the hideof a rhinoceros when it is but a question of looks and words, howeverstern and biting they may be. Besides, do you not yet know this cub of theold lion? The royal beast is always the same; dangerous when his hair isrubbed the wrong way. Titus was only angry because his better judgmentopposed his inclinations, and agreed with me--me to whom he pays thecompliment of his dislike. I tell you we shall give the assault before twodays are out, with my cohort swarming on the flanks, and thy Lost Legion,my Hippias, maddening to the front. So now for a draught of wine and arobe of linen, even though it be under one of these suffocating tents. Ithink when once the siege is over and the place taken, I shall neverbuckle on a breastplate again."